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Fo r the 600d of Your Community Vol. 4 No.4 OAKLAND, AUGUST 1961 Mid·Year Report Shows Rider Increase Revenue Climbs ...

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Fo r the 600d of Your Community Vol. 4

No.4

OAKLAND, AUGUST 1961

Mid·Year Report Shows Rider Increase Revenue Climbs 4 Percent in First Six Months; Passenger Boost Tops Major West Coast Cities AC Transit presented one of the Nation's rosiest transportation pictures during the first six months of 1961 with revenue showing an increase of more than 4 percent above last year. General Manager John R. Worthington reported that total passenger revenue collected for the period from both local and transbay lines amounted to $5,714,051 as compared to $5,489,177 collected between January and June of last year. This is an increase of 4.1 percent. Worthington, in a mid-year financial report to the board of directors, said revenues from transbay service increased 6.21 percent. Transbay fare income increased $123,773 to a total of $2,117,832 for the six-month period. Income from local East Bay lines showed a boost of 2.89 percent-an increase of $10l,lO1 to $3,596,219. More Riders

In number of passengers carried, which came to 24,236,000, AC Transit was one of the few transportation operations in the Nation to show a substantial increase in riders, the transit official said. While the number of passengers carried by AC Transit increased more than three percent, other West Coast transit operations suffered a decline. The Na-

tional average for the six months showed a 3.79 percent decrease. In southern California communities, passengers dropped from 4.7 percent to as much as 11 percent, while in the Pacific Northwest, riding was generally off about 6.75 percent. The brightest spot on the West Coast was in Northern California where, eliminating AC Transit's increase, riding was only slightly down-less than onehalf of one percent. New Buses

Worthington credited AC Transit's new equipment, reduced travel times and a million miles of annual new service as primarily responsible for the boost in riders and revenue in the East Bay. "We took over from Key System Transit Lines with the promise-and the plan -to make bus travel something people wanted to take advantage of," Worthington noted. "We think bus transit must be attractive and comfortable, as well as fast and convenient," he said. "We realize we have to compete with the family automobile and make public transportation reasonably comparable to the private automobile."

Free Rides Introduce Hayward Lines Hayward area residents were introduced to a new network of local neighborhood bus lines this month with a "welcome aboard" celebration topped off by two days of free rides. The courtesy rides were given on the new lines August 17 and 18 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with Hayward retail merchants and the transit district playing host. Inauguration of the network of operations in the Palma Ceia Village, Schafer Park and other residential areas in southwest Hayward was made a gala occasion, with many housewives making their first ride on AC Transit motor coaches to take advantage of special bargains provided in retail stores as part of the welcoming program. During the free ride period, hostesses provided by the Hayward Chamber of Commerce rode on each of the new buses to personally greet the passengers and to see that they had timetables and any other needed information about the service. The hostesses wore stewardess caps and as an added touch, colorful ribbons with "welcome aboard" lettering. The buses on which the free rides were given were marked by Hying pennants, to tell would-be guests which bus to take. Prior to inauguration of the three lines, the 90-Schafer Park-Palma Ceia Village, 92-Palma Ceia Plaza-Southgate line and the 91-Tennyson Rd. line, transit service representatives called on 12,000 homes in the areas to be served, presenting householders with schedules, maps· and letters of welcome-which included the free ride invitation. Retail stores also had timetables to distriQute, along with special "how to get . there by AC Transit" information, listing important buildings and services, along

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with bus data and a map. Large cards, with timetables, were displayed by the stores as an added service. Buses on the 90, 92 and 91 extension not only Hew their opening day Hags, but carried signs advertising the free ride courtesy. The fare boxes also were "posted", notifying passengers they could "ride free today, courtesy of the Hayward retail merchants and AC Transit." The new lines, first complete service for the southwestern Hayward area, will give the residential districts direct access to local shopping centers, to schools, downtown Hayward business area and to convenient connections to other district bus lines, including City Express service to other major East Bay cities.

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ALAMEDA-CONTRA COSTA

NEW SERVICE - Transit representative Ann Castle gives information on new Hayward neighborhood bus lines to Diane Rowe, 410 Wait St., Hayward.

TRANSIT

DISTRICT

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MONTCLAIR

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LEGEND EXISTING LOCAL NEW LINE

LINES

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TO BE INAUGURATED

AUGUST 21) 1961

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MONTCLAIR SERVICE-Map shows route of new 60 line serving the upper Montclair hill area. The line, which went into service August 21, operates into upper Broadway Terrace and Snake Road areas.

Bus Line to Serve Montclair Hill Area A new neighborhood line to serve the upper Broadway Terrace and Snake Rd. areas of Montclair was inaugurated this month. The service-Line 60-part of the district's over-all plan for improved transit, provides residents of the Montclair hill area direct access to the local shopping district, along with connections to downtown Oakland and San Francisco lines. Free rides during the first day of operation August 21 were provided by the Montclair merchants and the Transit district to help acquaint residents with the new line and a letter of introduction and

timetables also were delivered to every home served by the line. The routing generally follows recommendations made in the 1959 De Leuw, Cather engineering report, with the line operating continuously, as one through routing, over the two branches. The line will operate from Medau Place and Moraga Ave. in the business district via upper Broadway Terrace to a loop at Pine Needle Dr., returning to the shopping area. The route then proceeds to Skyline Blvd. via Snake Rd., returning along Colton Blvd. and Snake Rd. to the village shopping district. 3

operators and veteran drivers who have returned "to school" to familiarize themselves with new equipment. For the new men, it's a course of seven days of unit training and three weeks of route training, where they learn while driving. Pearce sum~ it up this way: "First we tell them, then we show them, then we let them do it." In the process,· men learn about their own working conditions, schedules and routes in their division, claims and accident reporting, fare structure, operating procedures. They learn about transfers, how to conduct themselves with the public, how to analyze a driving situation and "read

DANGER AHEAD-Keeping a safe following distance-one coach length for every 10 miles an hour-is one of the main points in operator training. Student Charles Bond practices what he's learned under watchful eyes of Instructor Dale Swinford.

~aining Program!Teaches Operators Fine Techniques of Defensive Driving How long does it take to train a bus operator? With one of the finest programs in the industry, AC Transit's training department takes about 30 working days to turn out operators to match district standards. And as all drivers can tell you, it's not an easy course-but one that pays off in safety figures and in the district's increasing number of passengers. Before an operator takes the wheel to become the district's most important "salesman," he not only has extensively learned about the transit business, he has been thoroughly installed with the techniques of "defensive driving." Which means he's learned to approach intersections with his fbot on the brake; he's learned to keep his mind and eyes 4

on the job and to constantly anticipate what might happen. He knows danger spots-things like when a ball rolls out on the streetthere's likely to be a child right behind it. He must be aware of intersections, to keep the correct following distance, to anticipate what other drivers and pedestri:ms might do. He knows the importance of stopping smoothly, of expecting the unexpected. And he knows that the success of public transit in this area largely depends on the way he operates, not only in accident prevention, but in his treatment of the riding and driving public. The training program, under chief instructor Stanley Pearce, concerns new

traffic." They learn how to make right hand turns at the correct angle~some­ thing of a trick with the large new buses. And they are taught how to ease into the small loading zones so passengers can get aboard conveniently, without a flying leap. Pearce thinks the biggest problems for new drivers include keeping to the right following distance, pulling into loading zones correctly and allowing enough - but not too much - room for right hand turns. Before they get out of school, would-be operators have to pass a written test and an on-the-job test, before the wheel is theirs.

PARKING - Stopping coach in just right spot, 18 inches from the curb, for boarding passenger occupies attention of, standing left to right, Ira Koehler and Richard Young, and kneeling, left to right, John Contino, Jr., Instructor C. E. Redmon, and in doorway, Calvin Nelson.

RIGHT TURN - Instructor AI Brand, left, points up prob. lem of jutting car fender to students, left to right, Robert Barnhill, Charles Bond and Edwin Hiatt, during rightturn training.

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Special School Bus Cost Plan Adopted Special bus service to Oakland's new Skyline High School was assured this month with approval of a financial agreement by the board of education and transit district board of directors. The agreement establishes a formula which can be followed if the transit district receives similar requests for special school service from other school systems. Transit officials agreed to impliment service as needed on existing lines in the hill area and also to extend existing lines to the new high school. The special line will be paid for by the school district at the transit district's actual cost per mile during the month

Self Insurance Plan Adopted by Directors A new self insurance plan, which may save the district between $100,000 and $200,000 a year, has been adopted by the AC Transit board of directors. Under the plan, the district will handle its own casualty insurance coverage up to a total of $50,000 per accident, instead of paying a private company for the same service. General Manager John R. Worthington told the board the district will save managerial costs and other fees, plus interest earned on accrued reserves set aside for casualty coverage. When it took over from Key System Transit Lines last October, the district assumed the insurance contract between Key fmd Transit Casualty Company. Worthington was instructed to notify the company of the board's action and to proceed with plans to establish the self insurance program commencing early next year. 6

the service is rendered, now approximately 56 cents. With an estimated 12 buses a day, traveling a total of 194 miles, the cost to the school district was estimated at $19,500 a year. The alternative proposal permitted full utilization of existing transit routes, and higher efficiency of operation permitted a substantially lowering of an earlier proposal of $31,000. Students riding the buses will pay the customary 10-cent fare. William J. Bettencourt, president of the transit board of directors, noted that the school district will pay only for the extra service required by the school. At the same time, he said, the transit district by assuring proper compensation for these special routes, will set a precedent that can be followed for any other schools requiring special service. J. R. Worthington, AC Transit general manager, said the estimated cost of $79,500 is based on 65 percent of the school's 1,600 students riding buses. "Should this forecast be high," he added, "we will use fewer buses since we have costs involved, too," lowering the estimated cost to the school district. To help reduce the expense of the special school service, students will be asked to arrive over a period of some 90 minutes before school starts at 8:25 a.m. Library, cafeteria, auditorium and other school rooms will be opened for pre-school study and club activities. The board of education, which earlier this year planned to end all special bus service, also voted to seek bids on providing special service to the M unk and Howard elemenetary schools and the King Junior High School. Another problem area that will be served-the Shepherd Canyon route to Montclair-is still under study.

Veteran Operator Wheels Last Gasoline Bus Across Bay Span; Diesels Take Over Oates remembers that the first bridge The same driver who guided one of the first buses across the Bay Bridge in 1937 buses were considered "deluxe rigs" that was still at the wheel when the last had "all the passengers grinning about gasoline-powered motor coach rolled what big windows it had and the fine over the span to end a pungent era of .riding it was." transbay travel. There was no terminal in those days Jimmy Oates, of 2350 - 109th Ave., and the buses just stopped at Fourth and Oakland, operator at the East Oakland Mission Sts. in San Francisco, moving Division, piloted the final trip on the N- later to the Sante Fe depot on Fourth St. San Leandro line on July 31. Veteran of Inauguration of bridge bus service was 38 years of transit service, he's been driv- preceded by a parade of equipment and ing a bus for 3.3 years and was behind the by public speech making; but those who wheelan the same N line when the Key asked that the buses be used for commute System sent its first buses across the service were told-to the Key System's bridge on May 9, 1937. later chagrin-that it was a special eleThe last 31 of the gas-powered coaches gant sort of service, not practical for comwere withdrawn from bridge duty and muter use, because there would not be commute runs on the K-Havenscourt, R- sufficient room for additional commuter Hayward and N lines, and were replaced buses on the bridge. by the more efficient diesel-operated Although he now and then takes a local coaches. run for variety, Oates has been driving Commuters making the last gasoline- the bridge for most of the 21 years since propelled run with Oates were presented start of transbay service and he's operwith special souvenir cards, which ated about every type of bus used. He'll marked the time and date of the last trip continue on the span, but in the airand invited the rider to be the guest of conditioned, streamlined "Transit AC Transit for a free ride home. Liners."

LAST TRIP-James Oates (right), gives a commuter one of the special souvenir cards which marked final schedule of gaspowered buses on the bay bridge. The card also invited passengers on the N local to a free ride home.

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COOL BEAUTY - The Japanese Garden at Lakeside Park offers tranquility and the charm of tinkling water against a background of artistic simplicity.

Transit Trails

Lakeside Park Offers Fun to Explorers By Virginia Dennison

It's always fun to take a new look at familiar grounds and come up with a discovery-like the mysterious fountain at Lakeside Park. Add an exploratory walk through the extensive garden area and you have a different view of the Oakland park, an adventure close to home. For an afternoon at Lakeside Park, you might want to put on a tourist air and start with the bus ston at the corner of Perkins St. and Grand Ave. Walk diagonally toward the lawn bowling area and you'll find, in a glen by itself, the "forgotten" fountain of Lakeside Park, little known and seldom seen by most visitors.

Erected by the first Oakland Park Commission in 1911, the fountain commemorates the public service of John Edmund McElroy, city attorney from 1906 to 1910. The mosaic floor was laid at a later date. Precise city records list the cost at "approximately $11,011." A monument to an almost forgotten era, the fountain bubbles in quiet desertion. But walk from it to the lawn bowl ing courts and you will find another tradition, active and elegant, where the stance of the players rolling the lopsided balls is as interesting to watch as. the results. Be sure to look at the interesting and

LONELY FOUNTAIN -In a glen by itself at Lakeside Park is the little known "McElroy fountain", erected by Oakland's first park commission as a monument to an early city attorney. This was a popular beauty spot when the water park was young.

WHITE HUNTER - Young visitor at Lakeside Park wild life refuge finds friendly ducks a handy target for pretend shooting with a pretend gun.

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lovely Garden Center before making another discovery - of the exceptional Japanese Garden at the rear of the center, another spot of lone beauty. Stretching out from the center are the gardens of the park, interest consuming for anyone who has tried to grow things, with or without a green thumb. Th€re are work centers, green houses and nice people for question-asking. But also there are gardens, like the large dahlia plot, the chrysanthemum display which becomes dazzling later in the year, and the camellia plantings. For now, expect the fuchsia lath house and tuberous begonia display to tinge your admiration with envy. Looks so easy! From the back of the garden area, a roadway will put you in sight of the nation's first wild life refuge. Try to make it in time for the 3:30 p.m. talk by a park naturalist. Penguins sail in for feedings, ducks gather - along with people - and there's always something to watch and learn. On your way back to the bus stop, detour inte the Rotary Natural Science

Center, if only to see the bee hive in action on one wall and live snakes in nonaction on the other. From there, it's a short walk back to Grand Ave. and Perkins St. and buses on Lines 12, 18 or B. On purpose, this "Transit Trail" avoids other Lakeside Park features, including Fairyland, boating and the Sunday band concerts, for those are things for another d'1Y. 9

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New Group Welcomed

Cashier Mi"es Music and Tinkle of Coins During Long Years of.Transit Service Any musical notes, above the tinkle of money in the cashier's department at 1106 Broadway, can probably be attributed to A. E. "Ted" Cooke, who not only holds honors as the oldest-in-time employee at the main office, but can sing a merry tune as well. Ted is the man where the money comes from or goes, according to your view. He also has a voice which makes him equally well-known, especially if your memory goes back to days of the Key System minstrel shows. Ted went to work for Key System 44 years ago, as an office boy in the accounting department at 22nd and Grove Sts. His runner-up for long-time service at the general offices, Ursul Havens, also started in accounting at the same place in 1919, two years after Cooke. Along the way to his present post of cashier, Ted spent some pleasant years at the Ferry Building in San Francisco, where he saw the multitudes and sold to many of them their tickets. Some of his customers included Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, Admiral Byrd, Mrs. Theodore Roosevelt, Wallace Beery-and part of his fun was to pass the word along so that celebrities got a welcome when they reached the Oakland side. Cooke also was the first clerk on duty when the Transbay Transit Terminal opened in 1939 and this time he was on the receiving end, beseiged by railfans who wanted his autograph on tickets. A trained singer, Cooke has performed radio church and minstrel work and now is a ~ember of the Scottish Rite male chorus. He has a handy accompanist in fellow worker Henry Patterson, violinist 10

who had his own orchestra in his native Scotland. A widower, Cooke lives with his sonin-law and daughter, Cecil and Marian Brown, and a grandson, Chris, at 1599 Purdue St., San Leandro. His co-worker, Miss Havens, stayed at 22nd and Grove Sts. until the department moved to 1106 Broadway in 1943. She describes her work as "accounts receivable and payable"-or simply "the one who pays the bills." She's also the rare wom:m who can keep personal accounts straight and make out an income tax return. An avid reader, Miss Havens lives with a sister at 313 Broadmoor Blvd., San Leandro and likes to garden in leisure moments.

HIGH NOTE-A. E. "Ted" Cooke, who has tallied up 44 years of transit service, looks over memento of the days when he donned black face for popular Key System minstrel show.

Another group of new operators has been assigned this month, after completing basic training. The new "pilots" include: Division 2

P. G. Kirk, 2000 Channing Way, Berkeley; M. D. Cook, 1268 - 143rd Ave., Oakland; R. J. Bilodeaux, 100 Stonyridge PI., Walnut Creek; William Palmer, 3145 Telegraph Ave., Oakl:md; H. H. Foster, 910 Jones St., Berkeley. Returned from military leave to the division was G. T. Jacobs, 1515 - 101st Ave., Oakland.

by District

Division 3

E. B. Burke, 1023 Lincoln Ct., San Jose; L. O. Ochoa, 215 - 22nd St., Apt. 1, Richmond; J. F. Duff, 425 Lexington St., El Cerrito; W. J. Frink, 939 Solano Ave., Albany; Gene Wright, 417 Gertrude Ave., Richmond. Division 4

D. C. Fortier, 3924 Gardenia PI., Oakland; C. G. Wyatt, 498 - 105th Ave., Oakland; R. R. Wieber, 2440 - 8th Ave., Apt. 2, Oakland.

No Toll Charge for Hayward Area Residents An improved information service was installed this month for residents of Hayward, Castro Valley and portions of San Lorenzo, making it possible to telephone AC Transit for information without a toll charge.

Running Time Speeded Up on Transbay B line Service was speeded up during the month on the transbay B-Lakeshore line, saving riders, and commuters in particular, as much as five minutes in travel time. Completion of widening and paving of Grand Ave. between Cypress St. and Telegraph Ave., made the time saving possible. The running time was shortened from one to five minutes on all schedules, with rush hour trips getting the greatest advantage. As a result, commute hour schedules between San Francisco and the Broadway-Grand Ave. station were shortened to 25 minutes. Basic midday travel time was reduced to 23 minutes.

By dialing Operator and asking for Enterprise 1-3035, residents of the Hayward area are connected-free of charge -with Transit Information, the lost and found department or charter service. Other calls continue to require the OLympic 3-3535 number. The Enterprise number will be listed in the new Hayward phone book next October and is being carried on schedules of lines specifically serving the Hayward area.

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Bltmoriam

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Thomas H. Smith, 80, one of the veteran street car operators who piloted cars out of Central Division for almost 41 years, died on June lO. Smith entered service in May, 1905, and retired effective April 1, 1946. His last address was 2010 Telegraph Ave. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Gladys C. Bell and Mrs. Margaret Rodgers, both of Oakland. 11

ACftONS

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At an adjourned regular meeting July 26, 1961, the Board of Directors: • Authorized a free ride program participated in by the merchants of Hayward for new Lines 90,91 and 92 during nrst two days of service, August 17 and 18 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on motion of Director Warren. • Rejected all bids for new fuel contract on basis bidders failed to meet specincations, and authorized General Manager to negotiate. in open market, on motion of Director McDonnell. • Approved inauguration of new Line 60 in upper Broadway Terrace and Snake Road areas of Montclair August 21, on motion of Director McDonnell. • On recommendation of Committee on Finance, as result of study of current casualty insurance procedures, directed the General Manager to accept six-month notice of cancellation of present policy of Transit Casualty Company, on motion of Director Barber. • Offered Oakland Board of Education a new "economy" proposal on costs of providing special bus service to Skyline High School, on motion of Director McDonnell.

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At the regular meeting August 9, 1961, the Board of Directors: eo Authorized and directed General Manager to execute three-year fuel contract with Shell Oil Company, on motion of Director Berk.

BOARD

TRANSIT TIMES

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

WM. J. BETTENCOURT

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Ward IV RO BERT M. COP ELAN D . .

President .

Vice President

Director at Large

ROBERT K. BARBER . . W ILLIAM H. COBURN, JR . W ILLIAM E. BER K JOH N McDON NELL E. GUY WARREN .

Director at Large Ward I Ward II Ward I I I Ward V

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS General Manager JOHN R. WORTHINGTON . . • A ttorney ROBERT E. NISBET Trea surer--Controller JOHN F. LARSON . Secretary GEORGE M. TAYLOR. . ~9

• Approved agreement to provide special bus service to Skyline High School, Oakland, subject to reimbursement by Oakland Board of Education, on motion of Vice President Copeland. • Authorized extension of transbay F-Berkeley line via Solano Ave. to San Pablo Ave. in Albany during evening hours, on motion of Director Copeland. • Authorized participation with Montclair Merchants Association in a free ride program on opening day of new 60-Montclair line August 21, on motion of Vice President Copeland. • Declared 10 gasoline-driven Mack buses as surplus and authorized the General Manager to proceed with sale of three, on motion of Director Coburn.

TRANSIT TIM ES Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District 1106 Broadway Oakland 7, California

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Oakland, Calif. Permi t No. 2105

C H JENKiNS 2030- 84TH lAVE Form 3547 Requested

OAKLAND.CAL